Convertible couch.



No. 684,502. Patented Oct. I5, I90]. .1. FELDMAN.

CONVERTiBLE COUCH.

(Application filed Jan. 4, 1901.)

(No Model.)

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JACOB FELDMAN, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

CONVERTIBLE COUCH.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 684,502, dated October 15, 1901. Application filed January 4, 1901. Serial No. 42,101. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J ACOB FELDMAN, a citi- Zen of the United States, and a resident of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Convertible Couches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of convertible couches which are provided with a hinged section at each side thereof, each section being adapted to be lifted and locked in a horizontal position, so as to make a wide bed, or be lowered to make a comparatively narrow couch.

The object of myinvention is to produce a convertible couch of the character above referred to in which not only may both side sections be swung downwardly, but in which either section may be swung up to a vertical position and locked, so that one section will form the back of the couch while the other hangs down, or byswinging both sections up to the vertical position and locking the same a serviceable crib maybe formed.

A further object of my invention is to produce a simple construction which may be easily and cheaply made and in which the hinged sections may be easily raised and lowered, locked, and unlocked by a single person standing at one end of the couch.

I accomplish the above objects by means of the construction and arrangement illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a bed made in accordance with my invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are end views thereof, showing the parts in difierent positions; and Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views. 7

The bed consists, essentially, of the main central section 1 and the two side sections 2 and 3, which extend the entire length of the main section and are hinged to the sides thereof. The main section is provided with the usual supporting-legs 4 4 and cross-braces 5, and each section 1, 2, and 3 is provided with the usual wire spring 6. Each end of each side section 2 and 3 is provided with arms 7 and 8, which are respectively pivoted thereto by pivots 7 8, and each arm is provided with a notch 7 and 8, respectively, on the outer or under side thereof, which is adapted to automatically engage a corresponding shoulder 4 on the legs 4, as shown in the broken-away section in Fig. 2, when the side sections are lifted to the horizontal position, (shown in Fig. 2,) so that said sections will be firmly supported. These arms 7 and 8 are provided with a bend or curve a short distance above the notches therein. Each arm is extended forward a suitable distance beyond its notch and is upturned slightly at its end, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. A releasing-bar 9, which consists of a straight strip of metal having its ends bent at right angles thereto, is pivoted at its ends to the main frame 1 by pivots 9', so that it may swing laterally. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the arms 7 and 8 extend inside the upturned ends of the releasing-bar and above the horizontal portion thereof, the shoulders on the legs 4, which engage the notches 7 8 of the arms, sustaining said arms slightly above the horizontal portion of said bar at all times except when the section to which a pair of arms are pivoted is raised above the horizontahas hereinafter explained. The upturned ends of the bar 9 are preferably provided with a ring or handle 10. Two locking-bars 11 and 12, which are of substantially the same shape as bar 9, as shown in Fig. 5, are pivoted to the horizontal brace 5, so that the horizontal portions of said bars are above the brace, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. It will be understood that both ends of the couch are identical in form.

The manner of locking, unlocking, and adjusting the above-described construction is as follows: Assuming first that both side sections are in the position of section 3 in Fig. 3 and it is desired to make a flat bed of the couch, the sides will be lifted to the horizontal (position shown in Fig. 2) and then the notches in the arms 7 and 8 will engage their respective shoulders in the legs 4, so that the sides will be held firmly in this position. When it is desired to lower either side, the person takes hold of the ring 10 and swings the bar 9 toward the side which it is desired to lower. When the bar 9 is swung to substantially the dotted position, (shown in Fig. 2,) the horizontal portion thereof will engage the under sides of the arms which are pivoted to the side to be lowered and the force of the blow will lift said arms out of engagement with their respective shoulders 4 on the legs, so that the side will drop to the position of the side 3 in Fig. 3. The other side may be lowered in like manner. If it is desired to raise one of the side sections to an upright position, so as to form aback for the couch, the side will first be lifted, drawing and swinging the arms which are pivoted thereto so that the upturned ends before referred to will be substantially horizontal and closely adjacent to the locking-bars l1 and 12. The locking-bar which is pivoted next the side which is raised is then swung up over the end of the arms at each end of the couch, so that the side will be securely held in its upright position. If it is desired to hold both side sections in the vertical position, so as to form a crib, the other side will be lifted and locked by the other locking-bar in the manner above described. The sides may be lowered by swinging the locking-bars out of engagement with the arms, as will be obvious. As the weight of the side when it is locked in the upright position causes the upper sides of the arms to be brought into firm engagement with their locking-bar, there is no opportunity for the bar to become accidentally disengaged therefrom. When the side section is unlocked, it will be swung inwardly slightly, thus swinging its arms downwardly, so that they become disengaged from their locking-bar, permitting the latter to be swung laterally beyond the ends of the arms, so that the side may be lowered.

From the foregoing description it will bev clear that I have produced a construction to lock automatically with said main section when said side section is lifted, and a bar which extends longitudinally with the couch and opposite each locking-arm, a pivot at one side of said bar, connections between said pivot and bar whereby the latter may be swung laterally about said pivot and be caused to simultaneously engage said arms and disengage them from the main section, so that the side section may be lowered.

2. A convertible couch, comprising a main section, side sections pivoted to each side of said main section, locking-arms which are pivotally connected with said side sections and extend laterally toward the main section, means for causing said arms to lock automatically with said main section when said side sections are lifted, a releasing-bar which extends below said arms, pivots on said main section above said bar, connections between said pivots and bar, whereby said bar may be swung laterally about said pivots in either direction, so as' to unlock said armsfrom the main section at either side thereof.

3. A convertible couch comprising a main section, a side section which is hinged thereto, locking-arms which are connected to said side section, a locking-bar which is pivotally connected at one side thereof to said main section and extends longitudinally of the latter, said bar and arms being so arranged with respect to each other that when said side section is swung up to an upright position, said locking-bar may be swung about its pivot into engagement with each arm and lock said side section in position.

4. A convertible couch comprising a main section, a side section which is hinged thereto and is adapted to be swung up to a horizon tal or vertical position, locking-arms which are pivotally connected to said side section; means for causing saidarms to lock automatically with said main section when said side section is lifted to a substantially horizontal position, a releasing-bar and a locking-bar, independent pivots for each bar which are arranged at one side thereof, connections between each bar and its respective pivots, said bars extending longitudinally of the main section and past each locking-arm, said releasing-bar being adapted to be swung laterally about its pivots so as to simultaneously disengage said arms from said main section when the side section is in a horizontal position, and said locking-bar 'beingadapted to be swung laterally about its pivots so as to engage said locking-arms when said side sec= tion is lifted to an upright position and to lock the same in this position.

5. A convertible couch, comprising a main section, a side section which is hinged thereto and is adapted to be folded at the side of the couch, or swung up to an upright position above the couch, laterally-extending lockingarms which are pivotally connected to said side section and rest against a fixed part of said main section on their under or outer side, a locking-bar which is pivotally connected at one side thereof to said main section and extends longitudinally thereof past each locking-arm, said parts being arranged so that when said side section is lifted to an upright position said locking -bar may be swung laterally about its pivots so as to engage the upper or inner side of said arms and hold said section in its upright position.

6. A convertible couch, comprising a main section, a side section which is hinged thereto and is adapted to be folded at the side of the main section, laterally-extending arms which are pivotally connected to said side section; a shoulder on the under or outer side of each arm which is arranged to drop into engagement with said main section when the side section is lifted, a bar which extends longitudinally of the couch opposite and below said arms, pivotal supports for said bar above and at one side thereof, said parts being arranged their respective side sections are lifted, a bar having laterally-bent ends, said ends being pivoted midway of said main section and supporting said bar below said arms, whereby said bar may be swung laterally and engage the under side of said arms and lift them out of engagement with said main section.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my sig- 2o nature in presence of two witnesses.

JACOB FELDMAN.

WVitnesses: I

LoUIs H. HARRIMAN, FLORENCE A. PLANTA. 

